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Franklin City Public Schools Assistant Superintendent of Operations Dr. Clint Walters provided the Franklin City School Board on Oct. 17 with updates on Mod C, the new modular unit coming to S.P. Morton Elementary School, HVAC replacement at SPM, cleaning of all schools and a new playground at SPM.

MODULAR C UPDATE

Walters noted in his slideshow presentation that Franklin Power and Light has installed a pole near the new modular unit. 

“So we are getting closer to electric being at the mod,” he said.

The presentation cited that all necessary materials have been obtained for connection once the electric panel is delivered.

At the time of ordering, Bay Electric projected a six-to-eight-week lead time for the panel, which would have resulted in an arrival date near the end of October, the presentation stated.

“When we checked earlier this week, that arrival date has moved significantly to Dec. 11, and so that is pushing transition into the new mod likely to January of 2025,” Walters said. “We are taking several steps to make sure, between now and then, that as much work can be completed ahead of time as possible.”

He said initial inspections by the city have been completed.

“Mechanical and final inspections will take place once everything is operational,” he said.

His presentation noted that the following steps are being taken to expedite the school division’s transition into Mod C as soon as it becomes available:

Maintenance

• Re-keying all doors to match the current keying system; 
• Installing dry-erase boards and bulletin boards in classrooms and the hallway; and
• Moving the remaining furniture from the gym into the designated classrooms;

Custodial

• Cleaning all classroom spaces; and 
• Applying wax to all tiled spaces;

Walters added that the division’s technology team has contracted to run all required networking cables, and this is complete. The team has also contracted to run wiring for all fire alarm and security system infrastructure.

“The fire alarm and security system will be completed in the coming weeks,” he said.

SPM HVAC UPDATE

Walters’ presentation indicated that the HVAC replacement project at S.P. Morton is running on schedule, and his slideshow included a graphic showing the progress of the project in the building.

“HVAC completion is slated for the end of February,” Walters said.

CLEANING OF SCHOOL BUILDINGS

“We were very fortunate to be able to utilize ESSER III funding to purchase additional custodial equipment, and that was in the neighborhood of $137,000 worth of equipment for all of our schools,” Walters said.

He stated that this money paid for new scrubbers, sweepers, burnishers and vacuums.

His presentation noted that representatives from Veritiv provided training over two sessions to all FCPS custodians on proper use of the equipment.

“We broke that up over two sessions, so one session was at Franklin High School, one session was at S.P. Morton, and we’re working with Ms. (Lakeisha) Langley, our custodial supervisor, to bring them back for an additional training during the month of November,” Walters said.

The presentation stated that in addition, FCPS is working to contract with a company to provide an additional deep cleaning to the windows and walls at S.P. Morton Elementary School.

“We really think that that’s going to help to spruce up the inside of the school,” Walters said. “We want to make sure that as we’re entering flu season that we’re coming in with a clean environment for our students.”

Board Vice Chair Cristina Boone said, “When do you think that’s going to take place, the deep cleaning?”

Walters said, “I did a walk-through with the vendor today, Ms. Langley did a walk-through two days ago, I believe, and so if the price is right, we’ll be moving very quickly. If the price is not right, we’re going to continue to look, because we want to make sure that that is addressed. I will say that we are also working on our custodial staffing, and so that, along with the training, along with the equipment, we’re working to make sure that we have a safe environment for all of our children.

Boone pressed further, asking if the cleaning would be done over a weekend or when the children were not in school during the week.

“The vendor suggested doing it over Saturdays, and I think that it’s likely that it’s going to be over two Saturdays, just with the scope of the work that we’re looking at, and that would provide them open access — no students in the building,” Walters said.

NEW S.P. MORTON PLAYGROUND

In the final segment of Walters’ operations update, he said, “Some very, very good news — FCPS is the recipient of a grant that totals almost $100,000 to help support the purchase of a new playground at the elementary school.”

His presentation noted that the grant came from an organization called GameTime.

Walters noted that the school division also selected for purchase two additional new pieces of equipment.

“We want to make sure that our children have really nice equipment to play on,” he said. “We received information since this presentation was collected, and working with (FCPS Superintendent) Dr. (Carlton) Carter, we’re going to move forward on the purchase of the equipment to make sure that we comply with all of the expectations of the grant, because we don’t want to have anything happen to that amount of funding.

“We’re also going to work on bidding out the installation phase,” Walters continued. “So we anticipate having that by the end of the calendar year on-site, and then, installation, we’re going to take a look at funding to see how early we can make that happen.”

His presentation noted that FCPS is awaiting information back from the company regarding final cost projections. The presentation stated that the purchase will be finalized in October and will include removal of the existing equipment as well.

“In addition, other funding sources are being pursued to support the renovation of the pre-K and kindergarten playground as well,” the presentation stated.